15 years ago I made one of the best decisions of my life by registering for WSET classes in Calgary AB Canada.
A man named Francois, who managed a wine store that carried some amazing examples, taught the class.

During the class on whisky, he told us that products coming into the market from the United States were actually whisky’s made in Canada, shipped to the U.S. for bottling and returned to Canada under new labels and at much higher prices.
So, for over 15 years, I’ve known about the history of producers like Whistle Pig acquiring their “juice” from Canada.
That knowledge makes a difference when I’m selecting a whisky for purchase.

… but I grew up in Alberta, with Alberta Premium on my #WhiskyWall for as long as I can remember.
It’s the only spirit in my 5,000+ tasting notes where the flavour is permanently etched in my palate-memory.
It deserves a place in history, and not just because rail – tankers full of it are shipped to the States every year for repackaging.
But because it’s a really good product at a really good price.Notes:
Alberta Premium is the best-selling All-Rye Whisky in the world.
200,000 cs sold annually

Alberta Distillers makes about 20 million litres of whisky each year and exports about 14 million, sold in bulk and packaged by others who put their own name on it.
Most of it winds up in the United States, but up to 55 countries, Britain, France, Sweden, Japan – they all use Alberta distillers whisky.

In recent years, I’ve tasted hundreds of different whiskies.
A stand-out producer was … and continues to be:

Stalk & Barrel:

Rye Whisky 60.7% abv & Single Malt Whisky 62.3% abv are 2 of the best whiskies I’ve ever tasted in my life.

And I’m not just saying Canadian Whisky … I’m saying all whiskies. Stalk & Barrel Whiskies are magical in the flavors & aromas they deliver.
And tasting them at cask strength was just the icing on the cake.

When Raj Sabharwal and I were both in Atlanta for the Whiskies of the World show, he was kind enough to come to the Smooth Draws Cigar Radio studio where we enjoyed a tasting of the Stalk & Barrel Blue Blend at 40% abv and the Red Blend 43% abv.

Gary “Doc” Laden was totally taken with the Red Blend.
Raj taught us so much about whisky & we thoroughly enjoyed the tasting, as you can see by the in-studio photo attached.

If you’re going to add a whisky to your wall, make it Stalk & Barrel.

Alberta Rye Whisky Dark Batch.
Here in Canada we have Alberta Premium Dark Horse.
In the States, they have Alberta Rye Whisky Dark Batch.
If I’m not mistaken, if you read between the lines of the PunchDrink article, it’s kind of Alberta Premium retooled with Sherry.
For my personal tastes, it’s a little too sweet. But a lot of people like the sweetness Sherry imparts … I’m more a spicy-bite fan.Lot 40.
I guess I’ve got to give this one another taste. When it 1st came out, I lined up like every other whisky enthusiast … but I just couldn’t get enthusiastic about it. Keep in mind, I prefer sipping whiskies neat and this one just didn’t do it for me.
I guess bartenders like Lot 40 for its cocktail readiness.

Crown Royal
I always kind of smile at any Crown Royal product because until Northern Harvest Rye, it was basically a corn-based whisky. Keep in mind, because there’s not a whole lot of rules defining Canadian Whisky, it can be made of almost any kind of grain, but typically corn, barley & rye.
When I’m judging a corn-based whisky, I judge it on its merits and keep my personal bias out of it.
But when it comes to what I pour in my glass, I prefer to go with a Rye-forward expression, just like I prefer anything 43% abv or higher. I generally find 40% a little thin when it comes to whisky.

So that’s my insight on the whiskies listed in the PunchDrink.com article.
But, I think this article missed an important Canadian Whisky that’s available nation wide and in certain areas of the United States … and that’s Forty Creek Canadian Whisky.
It’s another of my preferred Canadians. John Hall worked tirelessly, facing numerous challenges to get that product on the market and it’s worthy of mention.

As a person who loves Canadian Whisky with Cigars, I’m also compelled to mention the Canadian Whisky / Cigar pairing at Big Smoke Las Vegas in 2014.
The reason I attended that particular show was because Jack Bettridge, along with Manuel Quesada, were hosting a Canadian Whisky tasting/ seminar.
The whiskies were: J.P. Wiser’s 18, Collingwood, Canadian Club Small Batch Sherry Cask and Crown Royal

The cigar: Manuel Quesada’s Quesada 40th.

Like a lot of people, I’d have expected anything “sherry” to have been the best pair with a cigar. The sweetness can take on the smoke.
However, here’s the comments:
“With the Canadian Club Sherry Cask, a nougat flavor that didn’t appear before emerged for both Quesada and Bettridge.
While Bettridge declared this pairing as his personal favorite, Quesada politely disagreed.
“For me,” Quesada said, “it was the Wiser’s.
The liquid creeps back over the cigar sensations on the palate and layers it well”.

I was sitting in the 2nd row with a clear view of the moderators. I was very interested in observing their reactions.

Photo Credit: Cigar Aficionado

When Manuel tasted that Wiser’s 18 with his cigar, the look on his face was one of complete wonderment.
As a matter of fact, I’ve wondered since if he’d ever paired one of his cigars with a Canadian Whisky before.
You could tell that pairing made a huge impression on him … you know, the kind of moment where time stops and you just want to be alone with that whisky & that cigar.

In terms of producers, Alberta Distillers will always have a place in my heart.
But there’s no doubt that Dr. Don Livermore and the team at Wiser’s do a lot for Canadian Whisky & the people who love it.
Dr. Livermore’s Canadian Whisky Flavour Wheel is amazing!

Since August of 2015 I’ve been a weekly contributor to Smooth Draws Radio Show.
Friday January 20, 2018, the driving force of the show, Gary Laden, passed away and it’s been heartbreaking.

Gary will always have a place in my heart.

I started listening to his broadcast, then called Cigar Guys Radio Show, basically from its inception.

The 1st time I called into the show was in April of 2015.
The Cigar Question of the Week was:
“What do you like to pair with cigars?”

I wanted to get his take on a Brad Paisley interview in Cigar Aficionado, quoting this from the pages of that issue:

“His (Paisley’s) band members tend to enjoy the cigars while sipping a fine whiskey, or a glass of wine. But the nondrinking Paisley has his own favorite beverage when savoring a cigar …

“If you have a Yoo-hoo with a cigar, it’s like a s’more,” Paisley enthuses. “Anything chocolate is fantastic. A hit of chocolate takes the bite away. A chocolate milkshake with a cigar? That’s just decadent. Grape juice is good, too. Anything thick and sweet is pretty cool. I think I’d like port, if I did that.” … from Cigar Aficionado

Gary thought that was great input and I thought Gary was great for being so open-minded about cigars & pairings.

When he learned I’d be working with Daniel Marshall at the Daniel Marshall Cigars and Humidors booth during the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) show in New Orleans that July, Gary came by the booth and that’s where I had my 1st of many photos taken with him.

A couple of weeks after #IPCPR15, I asked Gary if I could do a Twitter #CigarHerf to correspond with the show broadcast.
He loved the idea and couldn’t wait to get a global ‘herf started every week.

Gary would send me the script and I’d tweet the content, with corresponding pictures of the hosts & the guests – of which there were many, but some of the 1st were Jose Blanco, Oscar Rodriguez, Mike Bellody, Nick Perdomo Jr., Fred Rewey, Jerry Garrett, Sean Williams & Enrique Sanchez Icaza.
#RelaxAndEnjoy.

Gary would also do features & contests with cigar accessories like Xikar & Boveda Inc. to help novice & experienced cigar enthusiasts better understand options available to them.

I’d categorize all the segments & photos that made up the show.
There was Doc’s Diversions and #SmoothDraws-University that brought together great educational aspects of cigars, like Jorge Armenteros of Tobacconist University.

And who didn’t love the ever popular “Long Ash or In The Trash” where the hosts would give their opinions on super-fun themes that Gary would present?!
All the Smooth Operators had fun casting their votes on the topic throughout the weekend.
Recently the panelists expanded to include Smooth Operators, with long time listenere Bob Langmaid being the first.
Gary was always looking for way to get the fans onto the #SmoothDraws MainStage.
A totally generous man.

Gary created a segment for me to talk about wine & spirits and was always eager to try a new “dram” … a word he found particularly endearing.
The segment we did for Canadian Whisky gave Davin de Kergommeaux’s book “Canadian Whisky – The Portable Expert” a boost in on-line sales throughout the U.S.A.
It was those behind the scenes experiences that made the show so exciting & gave me a sense of purpose.
I will forever be grateful to Gary for seeing the big picture.

We were part of Whiskies Of The World #ATL, where Gary, Nicholas, Adam myself & others from the #SmoothDraws Team would host the Cigar & Whiskey pairing event.

Gary was one of the 1st radio celebrities in the United States to honour World Whisky of the Year winner Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye, enjoying an in-studio tasting with John Stegenga & Alan Friedman.

Gary warmly welcomed everyone to the studio, whether they be cigar people or whisky people … like Raj Sabharwal.
“Doc” loved Scotch … and he loved Canadian Whisky.
He found a new favourite when Raj brought in Stalk & Barrel Whisky for the in-studio tasting.

I’ll always be grateful to Gary for making the show diverse, yet keeping it related to the #Cigar lifestyle, which he loved.
And he fought for #CigarRights … supporting the mandate of Cigar Rights of America and International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers (IPCPR).

He completely embraced every aspect of the cigar lifestyle, working tirelessly to secure interviews from influencers of that lifestyle, including Reinhold Widmayer from Cigar Journal to Darren Cioffi of Cigar Smoking World Championship fame and Franca Comparetto of Cigar Sense.
Every interview brought new insights to great cigar experiences, illustrating the never-ending optimism that cigars bring, like the journey of Hamlet Paredes & Rocky Patel Premium Cigars.

And, of course, there were the hundreds of followers – the #SmoothOperators, who tuned in from all around the world.
Gary loved each and every one of you, truly embodying the cigar-lifestyle mantra of us being one big cigar-happy family.
Gary was especially fond of being able to meet so many of you at the various LIVE remotes the Smooth Draws Radio Show did.
He’d even get on the phone to talk to fans in other countries, like Kenneth Rosal & Mike Simpson in Canada.
Gary also enjoyed seeing & hearing from Nigel Baird from the U.K. … whose cigar & accessory collection astounded him!
Every single Smooth Operator was important to Gary, and to name a few … Vern Coleman, Wes Smith, Travis Burne, Ricardo Nascimento, Nathan Caliendo, Craig Graydon, Jerry Vogler Jr, Jeff Botl, Gerald McIntyre, Lloyd Bunce, Don Stuike, Cliff Wilson … and so many more!
Gary would have loved to have visited each of the 44 States & 24 Countries that had Smooth Operators tuning into the show to meet all of them personally.

#SmoothDraws just kept getting bigger & more successful over the years, with Nicholas Syris, William Cooper, Michael “The Burner” Turner & CigaRobbie coming on board as hosts through the history of the show.
Their expertise, cigar knowledge & stellar reviews had a big impact on all the #SmoothOperators.
The #SmoothDraws #CigarHerf was a global meeting place for everyone to ‘herf on Saturday. Jenny Hatton was brought on-board as one of the #CigarHerf coordinators.
Coordinating the phone calls behind-the-scenes was Adam Heffner, followed by Jay Finch.

Gary especially loved having his adored wife, Susan Fidelholtz Laden, with him in-studio, as well as behind the scenes of the show.
His friendship with executive producer Chad Potier serves as an inspiration to how cigars can bring people together in unexpected ways.
#Shenanigans!

Gary, myself and all the Smooth Draws team, did so many things cigar-related, and we bonded over many premium cigars.
I visited Atlanta on a several occasions for some great fellowship & event attendance.
We traveled as a group to Nicaragua for our inaugural #PuroSabor experience in 2016.
The very 1st night aboard the Lake Managa cruise, we were able to meet Eric Newman of J.C. Newman Cigar Company, who later came on the show for a 2-part interview about the history of his cigar company.

While in Nicaragua, Gary particularly enjoyed the visit to Flor de Caña Rum … and who can blame him? It is really a fun place to visit and perfect for picture taking, with the Flor de Cana Train!

The following year, Gary & Nick did the Smooth Draws Radio Show show from the Plasencia Cigars Factory in Nicaragua.
A ground-breaker in cigar radio!

Whenever I was around Gary & the Smooth Draws Team, I always had my camera ready, to capture and archive, various cigar & cigar lifestyle photos to have on hand in case we needed them for the show.
This week, during Nicaragua’s #PuroSabor18, some of our friends & #SmoothOperators like Rod Zdebiak & Tomz Cigarz, have been posting fantastic photos of their experience … and I’d think – “that’d be a great shot to include during the #SmoothDraws #CigarHerf” … only to remember that the show I’ve been a part of for over 100 weeks has now changed forever.

Recently a new segment was introduced on the show. It was called: Legends of the Leaf. It was intended to profile the producers of cigars & such.

I think Gary Laden should be bestowed the honour of the Greatest Legend of the Leaf.
He dedicated his life to cigars and brought great joy to so many.
Truly a legend.
Always Remembered.
Never Forgotten.

When I found out that Capital Ford in the prairie city of Regina Saskatchewan, Canada, had one of only a handful of 2017 Ford GT’s in its showroom, I couldn’t wait to see it!
This is the model that won 2016 Le Mans … exactly 50 years after it first won that gruelling 24hr race.
Not only that, it was a crazy good top-ten finish … two GT’s finished in the top 3.
No. 68 crossed the finish line first.
No. 69 crossed the finish line third.
No. 66 crossed the finish line fourth
No. 67 crossed the finish line ninth.
Stellar!

Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

Point of Note: This winning Ford GT has a deep connection to Canada: “First unveiled to the media at Le Mans last year, the Ford GT’s Le Mans victory comes 395 days after the car turned a wheel for the first time on May 20, 2015, at Calabogie Motorsports Park in Canada”

When it won LeMans, the Ford pride was apparent:
“A Herculean effort from the Ford Chip Ganassi team has transformed the car into a Le Mans winner in just over one year”

Photo Courtesy of Ford Motor Company

“This is an historic moment for the Ford Motor Company,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company.
“We dared to dream that we could return to Le Mans, 50 years after the incredible 1966 win, and take on the toughest competition in the world.
The pride we all felt when the Ford GT crossed the line at Le Mans is indescribable. The team that designed, built and raced the Ford GT has worked tirelessly to bring us to this result and I am proud of each and every one of them.
The Ford Chip Ganassi Racing team demonstrated the spirit of Ford, that of innovation, determination and true teamwork. We cherish our history and heritage, but today we made history again and I couldn’t be more proud.”
– Bill Ford. Executive Chairman – Ford Motor Company

It’s also a big win for the City of Regina (pop: 193,000).
There’s only 2 dealerships in all of Canada that have this car.
Capital Ford, and every other recipient, had to apply for it and then wait for a response.
I can’t even imagine the excitement when the news dropped that Capital Ford would receive one of only a thousand made for the entire world.

Ford GT in the Capital Ford Showroom

The Capital Ford edition hasn’t yet seen the highway.
It’s only been driven from the lot into the showroom.
But wow! What a feeling when you 1st lay eyes on it:

“The Ford GT is the ultimate expression of form following function. Its teardrop-shape body is the result of extensive work in the wind tunnel.
Its carbon-fiber body and its 647 horsepower 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 engine are the ultimate expressions of technological innovation”

Having a #CigarHerf can be a great team-building experience for any Cigar Clubs that will be visiting a Cigar-Friendly corporation.
I’ve been asked by corporations for suggestions on planning a Cigar Herf for customers to make the best use of Social Media opportunities.
Here’s some guidelines for hosting a corporate event catering to a cigar club.

4 weeks before the event:

1) Secure the email addresses of all attendees. Build a database for now & the future.

2) Once email addresses are secured:

a) Create a unique event hashtag for the ‘herf. Communicate it to the email addresses asap, asking all participants to start using the hashtag on their Social Media Accounts.

As the #CigarHerf organizer, I’d also start searching for that hashtag daily, so I can comment/retweet/repost.

b) Email all the attendees photos of the host’s logo & images of products which they can use to attach to their social media posts. I’d even go so far as to give them “prepared” Tweets, measured into 140 characters. That way the attendees could just copy and paste.

3) Set the Budget for the culinary aspect, as well as all other incidental costs.

4) Secure a caterer or create the menu for food & refreshments.

Remember to ask the cigar club contact person if any people in their group have dietary restrictions – dairy, gluten, etc. in order to provide culinary options for all attendees.

Ensure plates, knives, forks, spoons, napkins are factored into the budget and purchased in advance of the event.

Are alcohol beverages being considered? It’s always fun to try a combination of beverages as part of the “tasting & pairing” experience with Canadian Whisky, Scotch, Bourbon, Rum or cocktails.
However, keep in mind, the group must have alternate transportation to ensure there’s no drinking & driving. Rules are getting tighter and it’s very risky for a company to host an event where alcohol is served. Providing a safe ride home must be a consideration.

5)Company Banner booked & confirmed for the meeting room.

** Note: I’d have a photo of every participant in front the the logo’d banner. Ensure the attendees feel like a star when their photo & name appears on the host company’s Twitter / Facebook / Website.

2 Weeks before the event:

1) Do a press release, announcing *Name of Company* is opening their doors to the ‘herf community for a #CigarHerf.

Make it “news” so the cigar bloggers & the Cigar radio shows can add it to their line-up of cigar news & events.

2) Accessory Inventory:

Determine how many people will be in attendance.

Make sure there is one deep Cigar Ashtray for every 2-4 people.
Ensure you have enough: Lighters. Matches. Cedar Spills. Cutters: Guillotine / V-Cut.
Research Social Media sites for corporate ID’s ie: Boveda. Xikar. Colibri. Canada Humidor … tag them in all your Social Media posts.

Are the participants bringing their own cigars for the event?
Be prepared to have cutters available for every ring gauge, even those big cigars.

3) Buy the Water Bottles in advance.

Now it’s time to: Set the scene / storyboard the end-game.

In what type of room is the herf being held?Is it classroom style?

Will each participant be sitting with a table in front of them?
If so, create an 8.5 x 11 placemat they can use as a backdrop for photos and to take notes of the cigars they’re smoking & the beverages they’re enjoying.

The placemat would have the Company Logo & images of the products I’d want to be retained in their memories.

Ask the organizer if the visiting group has a logo or a specific identification artwork – add it to the placement / tasting mat as well.

Is the setting Lounge Style?

Then I’d be prepared for a very relaxed setting where there’s the chance the host will lose the concentration of the participants very quickly. Keep them interested with enough background information to keep them engaged.
If there’s a guest speaker, have them move through the room to touch-base with every participant.

Day of the Event:

Start with a Tour of the Venue if it’s being held at a corporate location.

3) Cigar Pairing exercise with water / coffee / tea. Ask the attendees “How does each change the impression of the cigar aromas & tastes?”

4) Goody Bag upon exit – preferably with images/logos of the host company.

5) Individual Photos in front of host company Logo’d banner

6) Group photo. Company Logo’d banner / signage visible.

Post-Herf

Remember to say Thank You to everyone involved in the success of the event.
Keep notes to ensure “best practices” are retained for future events.

On a final note, always be thinking about the kind of photos the attendees will be taking during the ‘herf. Many of the attendees will be taking photos for their own Social Media accounts. Try to keep natural and indoor lighting considerations in mind so photos don’t have flash reflections off glass windows, etc.

It’s the 4th year of Canada’s largest indoor cigar & spirits event in Canada.
“You can’t do this anywhere else in Canada” – Louise Batonyi.
We’re here LIVE at Rocky Mountain Smokeout!
It’s a great #Cigar event that brings together #Cigar enthusiasts who travel far & wide to attend the event.
Headliners included:
Alan Rubin from Alec Bradley Cigar

Alan Rubin -Alec Bradley Cigars

Nick Melillo from Foundation Cigars made the trek to Kananaskis Country to join in the Rocky Mountain Smokeout. It was great visiting with Nick during the luncheon where we had the chance to chat with the cigar producers.

Nick Melillo – FoundationCigars

Steve Ricker from Dominion Cigars

Fernando Zacharias from Espinosa Cigars

Rocky Mountain Smokeout is the best #Cigar event you’ll find anywhere in Canada.
The headliners are top-rate and the ambiance is perfect for anyone who enjoys a premium cigar. The entire weekend is filled with masterclasses and pairing events.

Many thanks & acknowledgement to the driving forces behind RMSmokeout which includes Louis Batonyi from Canada Humidor and Jeff Lawrence of Cheap Smokes & Cigars.

In 1964 Bourbon was officially proclaimed as a spirit exclusive to the
United States of America.

Bourbon can be made anywhere in the U.S. and, by law, it is a product distinctive to the U.S. that must be made from a fermented “mash” of no less than 51% corn.
Other rules include being distilled at no more than 160 Proof (80% abv) and aged at no more than 125 proof (62.5% abv) for at least 2 years in new charred oak barrels.
It must be bottled at no less than 80 proof (40% alcohol by volume / abv)

Barrel Proof:
Barrel Proof refers to Whiskey that is bottled at the proof it comes out of the barrel after minimum aging of four years.
For example, a recent bottle of Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof was bottled at 127.5 proof.

To figure out the alcohol level, or abv (alcohol by volume) divide the proof by half, which equals 63.75 abv.
If the whiskey has a secondary package, like the canister for Colonel E.H. Taylor, the canister will state “Proof Varies by Batch”.

The label on the bottle inside will usually indicate the proof and / or alcohol by volume content.

Bonded Bourbon Whiskey:

There is a requirement for some whiskies to fall into what’s known as the:
“Bond Act of 1897”
“Bonded Bourbon Whiskey” has been aged and bottled according to the requirements of that act. The definitions include it being a:Straight Bourbon Whiskey which is defined as:> Distilled from a fermented mash containing at least 51% corn.> Distilled at no more than 160 proof.> Aged at no more than 125 proof for at least two years in new charred oak barrels. If the whiskey is aged for less than four years, its age must be stated on the bottle.> No coloring – like caramel coloring – or flavoring, can be added.

Bonded Bourbon Whiskey must also be made at one time or season, in one location.
All Bonded Bourbon is aged in government-supervised warehouses for at least 4 years prior to being bottled at 100 proof aka 50%abv.

Mash Bill:
A “Mash Bill” is a recipe the distiller uses to make the whiskey. Keep in mind that for Bourbon, the Mash Bill must contain at least 50% corn … but most are made with up to 70% corn grain.

Small Batch:When you see the term “Small Batch”, it refers to a style of Bourbon that is distilled in small quantities. Typically that’s about 20 barrels … or 1,000 gallons.
But it could also involve blending whiskey from a small number of selected barrels.

It’s important to note that whiskey will age differently depending on where the barrel is stored in the rackhouse. Generally, the sweet-spot is considered to be the center of the storage facility.
But a skilled master blender can pull barrels from various sections of the rackhouse, marrying the whiskies from various barrels, to achieve the consistent flavour for the house-profile.

Sour Mash:Almost all American Whiskey is “Sour Mash” … meaning a portion – typically 20% of the mash – is held back before distilling.
This set-aside portion is then added to the next batch of distilling, and so on.
This assures consistency of the “yeast strain” which is critical to the Bourbons character.
The Sour Mash process was developed in the mid 1800’s by Dr. James C. Crow as a method to ensure uniform production for Bourbon.

Angel’s Share:
Whiskey is aged in oak which is porous, allowing for both an exchange of oxygen & the release of alcohol into the air.
Angel’s Share is the amount of whiskey that evaporates to the heavens from the barrel during the aging process.
Cooler climates, like Scotland or Canada will see an evaporation rate anywhere from 1% to 3% per year. In warmer climates, that rate can go higher.
Hot climates, like India, will often see evaporation rates of over 10%.
The other thing that affects evaporation is humidity. More water than alcohol will evaporate in low humidity – therefore increasing the a barrel’s alcohol content.
On the flip side, in humid conditions, more alcohol than water will become the Angel’s Share.
That’s why, when you’re looking to purchase an older bottle of whisky, the price will increase due to the lost yield as a result of the Angel’s Share.